Research section objectives and procedures

Objectives

One of the main activities of the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) is the organisation of meetings, known as Ordinary Meetings of the Society, at which a submitted paper is presented and then discussed. Typically out of ten U.K. meetings each year, four or five are organised by the Research Section, which is concerned primarily with statistical methodology and whose papers usually appear in JRSS(B).

In addition to the regular U.K. meetings, usually in London, the RSS has in recent years received a number of invitations to participate in international conferences. Participation in these meetings increases the visibility of RSS discussion meetings, and also increases opportunities for authors to have their papers presented in this way.

In keeping with the expanded international role of the Society, the RSS encourages submission of papers for discussion from all parts of the world. The type of paper that the Research Section is particularly looking for combines innovative methodology with substantial examples using real data. However it also encourages papers which review different approaches to a problem, and have an element of further development, again with the aid of real examples. There is no bar on papers containing advanced mathematics, provided it is clearly relevant to the statistical problem in hand.

In selecting papers for discussion, the Committee not only considers the inherent quality of a paper but also puts a great deal of emphasis on its potential for generating an interesting and lively discussion. Since the Society encourages spontaneous floor discussion as well as contributions from invited experts, it is highly desirable that the paper should be accessible to a broad audience. There is also a tradition of vigorous debate at RSS meetings, so papers which can be discussed from contrasting points of view are particularly welcome. However, papers are not accepted solely because they are likely to prove controversial.

Information for authors

Prospective authors of papers for the Research Section are encouraged to look at recent issues of JRSS(B) to gain a clearer idea of the kind of paper likely to be accepted. For further guidelines, the reader is referred to the inside cover of any recent issue of JRSS(B). In particular, please note the length limit of 20 published pages or 12,000 words: the present Committee is concerned to see this more strictly adhered to than has been the case at some times in the past.

Submissions

Papers for reading should be submitted to the Executive Editor of the Society at 12 Errol Street, London EC1Y 8LX, U.K (journal@rss.org.uk).

Electronic submission is strongly encouraged. We will accept PostScript (.ps) or PDF (.pdf) files. Our preference is for authors to email the Executive Editor giving details of a web site from where the paper may be downloaded.
Electronic submission will speed the handling and delivery of your paper during the review process.
Paper submissions are also accepted. Please send 5 copies to the Executive Editor at the London address above.

Authors thinking of submitting a paper are encouraged to contact the Secretary of the Research Section, currently Richard Samworth for further information and advice.

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